Southwest Jacksonville in Duval County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Tension Of War
Jacksonville - On The Edge Of The Civil War
— Camp Milton Historic Preserve —
"In this imposing waterfront home lived Mrs. Sarah Reed and her younger sister , Miss Julianna James. Miss James, a beauty of her day, hurriedly dressed in her best in time to answer the captain’s knock. The Captain announced that he had orders to pillage and burn the house. Miss Julianna protested, saying that he must be mistaken, for her sister was alone with several children and had committed no offense. She suggested the captain and his men stay for dinner. The group remained and ate fried chicken ,jelly, jam, cake and other trimmins. Miss Julianna exerted all her charms on the Yankee soldiers during the dinner and this singular episode passed without untoward incident. Miss Julianna, with Mrs. Read and her children, lived in Mandarin throughout the war and were never again threatened."
Resident account, spring 1862
Mandarin on the St. Johns – by Mary B. Grall
The Civil War is sometimes called the brother against brother. In Jacksonville it was also the struggle of neighbor against neighbor. Supporters of both the Union and the Confederacy lived in Jacksonville during the Civil War. After French, British and Spanish rule, Florida worked hard to be admitted into the Union on March 3, 1845. Consequently, many Jacksonville residents were upset when Florida joined the Confederate States of America on April 17, 1861.
During the war, the best available foods were shipped to the soldiers , and some Jacksonville residents were forced to find substitute foods. “For coffee they used wheat, rye, barley, corn, peanuts and sweet potatoes, which had been roasted and ground; for tea. They substituted sassafras, sage and the leaves of yaupon. The ashes of corncobs dissolved in water provided substitute soda for baking.”
Mandarin on the St. Johns – by Mary B. Grall
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.
Location. 30° 20.132′ N, 81° 52.043′ W. Marker is in Jacksonville, Florida, in Duval County. It is in Southwest Jacksonville. Marker can be reached from Halsema Road North, 0.4 miles Old Plank Road, on the right when traveling north. Located within the Camp Milton Historic Preserve. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1225 Halsema Rd N, Jacksonville FL 32220, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Jefferson Davis Live Oak (within shouting distance of this marker); The Third Union Invasion (within shouting distance of this marker); The Harvey Farm (within shouting distance of this marker); Stonewall Jackson Prayer Oak (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fort Fisher Live Oak (about 400 feet away); Lincoln’s Tomb White Oak (about 400 feet away); Seminary Ridge White Oak (about 400 feet away); Robert E. Lee Sycamore (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jacksonville.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 20, 2019, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 175 times since then and 3 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 20, 2019, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.